That number has slid back by about 1 percent this year, but more than 2,000 prospective students and their families visited campus Monday for an open house.

"A lot of the students who do come during this time show a lot of interest, and we know they will come back for student days at smaller events," said Sarah Shepherd, admissions officer. "The more often they come the more likely they are to choose UC as their home school."

Rachel Colby, 18, of Dublin, Ohio, visited with her father, and they both said UC might be a good fit for her.

"I wanted somewhere that wasn't too far away, but far enough away from my parents that I could have my independence," Colby said.

Allie Shaw and Hannah Dominique, both of Dayton, said they'd already selected UC due to its financial aid, housing and urban location.

"Because of their co-op program it's good for engineering, especially you have different semesters you can choose to do it," Shaw said.

"I like the student-teacher ratio, how its small classes, more one-on-one attention and help in classes," Dominique said.

UC is among a handful of colleges that raised more than $1 billion, and much of that money will go to research and other programs, including some student scholarships.